History of the Citizens Advice Bureaux

Functions of the Citizens Advice Bureaux

Why do people call at CABx?

Services offered by Citizens Advice Bureaux

History of the Citizens Advice Bureaux

Citizens Advice Bureaux were set up in 1989, based on the British Model. At that time Mauritius had already gone through two decades since independence. The Government deemed it right to create the CABx so as to bring state facilities and development to the doorstep of the citizens. The motto “Amen Developman Divan ou la Porte” was adopted.

There are at present 35 CABx scattered throughout the Island and all regions fall within the coverage of the CABx network.

Functions of the Citizens Advice Bureaux

register suggestions/complaints from the public regarding the need for basic facilities in their regions..

provide assistance/ information to callers on issues of concern to them

assist/advise members of the public regarding services provided by Government and parastatal bodies.

direct people towards the appropriate agencies

enable people to express their needs and problems effectively.

act as intermediary between the people and Government by transmitting the needs expressed by the people to Government

Create a well- informed society that can contribute effectively to the development of the country.

integrate the local people in the process of development.

encourage people and NGO’s to participate proactively in the development of the localities.

identification and implementation of micro projects.

Bring about the collaboration of other agencies and institutions in order to offer assistance to those in need.

organise talks and seminars to inform people on subjects related to their welfare.

register suggestions from the citizens and NGO’s for the improvement of their living environment

provide first hand counseling to citizens and refer them to specialised institutions as and when necessary.

Why do people call at CABx?

People call at CABx for advice and counseling, make suggestions, lodge complaints related to personal, group or community problems and for a panoply of services which include application for NHDC grants, assistance from the Trust Fund or the Social Integration f Vulnerable Groups and meeting Parliamentary Private Secretaries/Ministers, inter alia.

Services offered by Citizens Advice Bureaux

B. Main Services

1. Register requests for infrastructural development like:

Construction of roads, drains, pavements, bridges, market fairs, bus terminals, football grounds, volley ball cum basketball pitches, petanque courts, community centres, multi purpose complexes etc.

2. Register requests for public utility development like:

Laying of water pipelines, extension of electric lines, provision for street lighting, extension of sewerage facilities etc.

3. Register complaints regarding maintenance of public infrastructure and public utilities like:

- patching along roads

- cleaning of drains

- pumping away waste water from overflowing cesspits

- repair of street lighting

4. Register requests to address environmental problems like:

- elimination of dumping grounds

- creation of green spaces

- cleaning of rivers

- checking soil erosion

- pollution

5. Inform citizens on:

- Their rights and responsibilities

- Services offered by public agencies and procedures to be followed to avail of these services.

6. Interview, and advise citizens who have problems of a personal nature like:

- Divorce and separation

- Domestic Violence

- Training and employment

- Delinquency

- Inter-generational conflict

- Sexual harassment

- Conflict within the family

- Child and elderly neglect

- Drugs and alcoholism

B. Ancillary Services

1. Register and follow-up applications for NHDC grants.

2. Connect needy citizens to the Trust Fund for Social Integration of Vulnerable Groups.

3. Connect citizens with Members of the National Assembly (MPs, PPSs, Ministers).

4. Organise multi-sectoral committees for addressing complex social problems like pollution.

NHDC Grant

That grant is given for:

An amount of Rs 55,000 is given on a pro-rata basis (for a 100m2 building the grant is Rs 55,000. For lesser size, the grant is proportional).

Applicants have to satisfy a few basic conditions to be able to obtain the grant, the main ones being:

(a) the combined salary of the couple should not exceed Rs 8,500 per month for slab grant and not exceed Rs 5,000 for the grant for material or construction of 50m2.

(b) ownership of the plot of land where the construction is being made or in possession of a registered authorisation from the owner of the land.

(c) in possession of a valid Building Permit.

(d) in possession of a valid Development Permit (where conditions require so).

Documents to be produced are photocopies of:

(a) Identity Card(s) of applicant and spouse (for married couple);

(b) Title Deed of Land;

(c) Birth Certificate(s)

(d) Marriage Certificate (if applicable);

(e) Site plan of house;

(f) Building Permit;

(g) Development Permit (if applicable);

(h) Certified Plan for Building;

(i) Salary slip(s).

(j) Affidavit certifying salary earned if self-employed.